Kyrgios out of Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios of Australia arrives for his match with Karen Khachanov during their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Nine of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Sept. 6, 2022. Julian Finney/Getty Images

Nick Kyrgios’s Australian Open title dream is over before it even began after the big home hope was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury.

Kyrgios’s long-time physio Will Maher says the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up has a cyst growing on his meniscus.

While it’s not a career-threatening injury, Kyrgios is not sufficiently fit to contest his home grand slam.

“I’m obviously extremely disappointed,” Kyrgios said.

“Going in as one of the favourites, it’s brutal.”

Australia's Nick Kyrgios during his quarterfinal match against Russia's Karen Khachanov at the U.S. Open tennis match in New York on Sept. 6, 2022. Mike Segar/Reuters

He had been due to play Russian Roman Safiullan in the first round on Tuesday night.

The 19th seed’s scratching is another hammer blow to the Melbourne Park major, which was already ravaged by superstar withdrawals and retirements.

Women’s titleholder Ash Barty, seven-times champion Serena Williams, her sister Venus, dual winner Naomi Osaka and retired legend Roger Federer are all missing in 2023.

Australia’s highest-ranked woman also pulled out on Saturday with a knee injury.

Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia sits on her bench after winning against Serena Williams of the United States following their 2022 U.S. Open Tennis tournament women's singles third-round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Sept. 2, 2022. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

But Kyrgios’s absence is undoubtedly the biggest setback yet for organisers.

Love or loathe the 27-year-old, tennis’s most polarising figure is compelling viewing.

After inspired runs to last year’s Wimbledon final and US Open quarter-finals, Kyrgios had high hopes of breaking his grand slam duck in Melbourne.

“I’m just exhausted from everything. One of the most important tournaments of my career. Hasn’t been easy at all,” he said of the decision to pull out.